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While the wide-eyed children anticipated the clock striking noon, adults packed into the Webber Center at Central Florida Community College – all waiting to hear the first words from America’s 44th president, Barack Obama.

Joyce Peoples, gifted student teacher at Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary School, brought her class of 22 fourth- and fifth-graders to the televised inauguration event at the college. Princpal Leanna Dixon said the students were “really excited” to attend the historic swearing in.

At first glance, it may be perceived as a place to strictly log onto the Internet. But in reality, it’s a game promotion also.

Local Internet cafés seem to be popping up everywhere in Marion County. Driving by, the word Internet could make the average person assume it is a place to access the Web. Technically it is, but users can also enter “sweepstakes.”

“I’m really excited,” said Nola Wilson, small farms extension agent for the Marion County Extension Service. She is thrilled that the newly-formed Marion Mavericks have decided to take on the ambitious task of creating a community victory garden at the Marion County owned- 4-H Farm property.

“I’m so glad that we have a community group willing to organize and oversee this,” Wilson said. Having a public garden in the present tough economic times is a “very positive thing.”

“This is my favorite subject,” said Steven Purves, president and CEO of Munroe Regional Medical Center (MRMC), after he was introduced by Pat Gabriel. He was the first guest of the New Year to speak to the packed house at the S.R. 200 Coalition’s monthly meeting.

During his presentation he discussed the challenges the nonprofit hospital faces, as well as the mission and the history of MRMC. The mission of the hospital is to keep the quality of patient care up, while keeping the cost of medical care down, he said.

The coldest air of the season, with widespread freezing conditions, is expected to affect much of the central portion of the state tonight and Wednesday night, according to the National Weather Service.

There is an interesting article in the December issue of Experience Life magazine that I’d like to share with you. True health and happiness are woven together. We need both.

For optimal health, a person needs enough satisfaction, passion and pleasure. We need this for a good quality of life and a sense of well-being. Of course, some pleasurable behaviors have the opposite effect, such as smoking, drinking too much or overeating.

They came from all over to voice their stand on war. And, it wasn’t hard to hear message loud and clear.

Members of groups from Marions for Peace, Veterans for Peace, the St. Augustine People for Peace and Justice and others, gathered outside of Lockheed Martin in Silver Springs Shores to protest the current war between Israel and Palestine. The demonstration was in conjunction with protests staged nationwide on Dec. 30, 2008.

After a 10-day trip to New York, a Timberwood family returned home Jan. 3 and discovered approximately $12,000 worth of jewelry, electronics and a handgun was missing. The house on S.W. 35th Lane was in disarray and there was an empty space where the 54-in. flat screen Samsung television had been.

One of the greatest gifts the church has to offer is the gift of community, belonging and nurturing faith together. From the very beginning, Jesus’ disciples have been known as those who lived in relationship with one another praying, teaching and fellowship to the breaking of the bread.

We continue that tradition by gathering regularly with other disciples around the table at church and in our homes. Discipleship is learned through participation in a community.